CURT Q24 or B&W Companion

[mark.g]

So I am removing the flatbed from my truck and am thus in need of a new hitch. I will be starting with a clean slate so the sky is the limit. I have narrowed my choices down to the CURT Q24 or the B&W Companion. My XLR has a GVWR of 21k which is just over the companion's 20k rating, but I do not expect to exceed 20k so I do not anticipate that to be an issue. I do not have a B&W turnover which so that would be an added cost.

Expense wise I am looking at $620 for the CURT Q24 and necessary rails vs. $1300 for the B&W turnover ball and companion. I will be doing the install myself so the above numbers are just the equipment.

So, those of you out there pulling the heavy toyhaulers, which hitch are you using and why did you choose it? Thanks!

[davel1971]

I have a Curt Q20 and it has been great. B&W is a very good hitch, but I don't thinks it's worth twice the cost

[Taranwanderer]

It really comes down to: do you need to have your truck bed available at other times? If you need the truck bed to be flat and empty at times, then go with the B&W. If you're OK with the hitch permanently living in the bed of your truck, then go with the Curt. Good luck!

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

If you're OK with the hitch permanently living in the bed of your truck, then go with the Curt.

Why would the Curt be permanent? I've had mine in 2 different trucks. No problem to take out.

[mark.g]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

It really comes down to: do you need to have your truck bed available at other times? If you need the truck bed to be flat and empty at times, then go with the B&W. If you're OK with the hitch permanently living in the bed of your truck, then go with the Curt. Good luck!

This will be a mute point for me, in the near term at least, as I will not have a bed on the truck for a while. Tempted not to bother with replacing the flatbed with anything as I only use the truck to tow the RV but time will tell how long that lasts.

[Skyliner]

I bought a Curt Q24 although my truck maxes out at 16k for towing. I needed the extra weight of the Q24 to smooth out my truck's ride when unloaded.

I love the Q24 and recommend it especially since it is more affordable than the BW hitch.

[Homebrew]

Curt Q20 has done a great job for us for the past 3 years. Also have the slide which I have not used.


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[Taranwanderer]

Didn't know the Curt was easily removable. And if you don't have a bed to start with, it sounds like the benefit of the B&W is unnecessary in your case (and not worth the extra cost.). I'd do the Curt for sure.

Unless you need to pull a gooseneck trailer at any point...then the B&W offers you both options in one package.

[egladden]

On hitches go bigger I have the Curt24 k and my RV is also max 21k
But I would rather have to much instead of just enough.


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[CJ2]

The B&W won't work without a flat bed of some kind. It's only attachment point is the drop bar into the vertical receiver. What would you allow the Companion feet to sit on?

[mark.g]

Originally Posted by CJ2

The B&W won't work without a flat bed of some kind. It's only attachment point is the drop bar into the vertical receiver. What would you allow the Companion feet to sit on?

B&W said that a simple wooden plateform made from plywood would be sufficient for the base as most of the weight is taken by the turnoverball. Not ideal but simple. If I went that route, I had intended to make a metal platform that would sit on the frame above the turnover ball for the base to sit on.

[CJ2]

If they said it would work, I won't argue. I have one even though I've taken the hitch out only once in over a year. Going the plywood route, I would at least make it two layers of 3/4".

[Shejam28]

I have the Reese Signature Series 24k , im pulling a xlr 21k gross with a 2011 Chevy drw and that hitch is very nice, easy to remove, nice set up, that B&W hitch I had in the same truck and I don't like them imo there not heavy enough for toy haulers in that 21k range, and why would you wanna bolt in your hitch everytime is just goofy

[CJ2]

Why would you need to bolt it in every time? It can just stay in the bed. I take it out to use the bed - one pin and lift it with the trailer. I like the B&W because I can tow a gooseneck or 5th wheel with a 5 minute change. Not everyone needs to do that.

[Shejam28]

So when you put ur hitch back in there's no bolt at the top and 2 "U" bolts to hold it to the goose neck stem

[mark.g]

Originally Posted by Shejam28

So when you put ur hitch back in there's no bolt at the top and 2 "U" bolts to hold it to the goose neck stem

There are on the B&W. I believe it is a wash. You're either tightening a few bolts or pushing in four pins and clips when you put either hitch back into the truck.

[CJ2]

On mine, the two u-bolts are in the bed permanently, but spring loaded to keep them flush. To use the gooseneck you drop the ball in, and let the pin secure it from the rod in the left rear wheel well. To use the 5th wheel, just drop the shaft in like you would for the ball and let the pin secure it in the same way. to keep the hitch snug, you tighten one bolt on top of the shaft to snug it against the bed pin.